Ex-Post Fiji boss's conviction appeal questioned by High Court

The High Court in Suva has questioned the merits of former Post Fiji chief executive officer Anirudha Bansod's application to appeal his conviction after he pleaded guilty to an abuse of office charge in 2024.

Bansod's new lawyer appeared before Justice Warleen George today for the first call of his appeal against the conviction.

Bansod pleaded guilty on May 29, 2024, to an amended charge of abuse of office brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

He admitted providing false confidentiality and conflict-of-interest declarations in relation to a tender for the design, development and implementation of the Post Fiji mobile application.

He was sentenced to one-and-a-half years' imprisonment.

Justice George questioned the appeal, referring to Section 247 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which restricts an appeal against a conviction by a Magistrates Court where an accused person has pleaded guilty.

She questioned how Bansod, whom she described as well educated, could seek to appeal his conviction after clearly entering a guilty plea.

Justice George also noted that Bansod's previous lawyer, Devanesh Sharma of R Patel Lawyers, was an experienced defence lawyer and questioned whether Bansod had been advised about the restriction.

She said this was why a Magistrates Court was required to establish whether a guilty plea had been made voluntarily.

Justice George also noted that prisons had judicial officers to whom such concerns could have been raised.

While judicial officers could not provide legal advice, she said they could have directed Bansod to the appropriate people for assistance.

The court heard that Bansod could appeal his sentence but not his conviction.

The court also noted that Bansod was seeking leave to appeal out of time.

The matter will be called again on September 9 for an update on the appellant's further assessment.